Cat Idioms Quiz (A2-B2) — Vocabulary Practice Test

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: A2, B1, B2 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +22 (on pass)
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Just finished studying Cat Idioms? Lock in what you learned with 20 practice exercises. This Level A2-B2 quiz is designed as a revision companion — quick to complete, easy to retake, and packed with explanations to solidify your understanding.

⏱ You have 10:00 to answer 20 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  20
Q1 20

Question 1: It is raining cats and ___.

Question 1 options
'Raining cats and dogs' is a common idiom meaning it is raining very heavily. The fixed expression requires 'dogs' to complete it. 'Birds,' 'fish,' and 'mice' do not appear in this idiom.
Q2 20

Question 2: What does the idiom 'copycat' mean?

Question 2 options
'Copycat' means a person who copies what another person does. It does not mean a type of cat, a drawing, or a loud person.
Q3 20

Question 3: The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' means to reveal a secret.

Question 3 options
True. 'Let the cat out of the bag' is a well-known idiom meaning to accidentally or deliberately reveal a secret that was meant to be kept hidden.
Q4 20

Question 4: She was very ___ — always wanting to know everything about her neighbours.

Question 4 options
'Curious' is the correct word. The idiom 'curiosity killed the cat' warns that being too curious can lead to trouble. 'Generous,' 'patient,' and 'cheerful' describe positive personality traits unrelated to wanting to know others' business.
Q5 20

Question 5: When the boss is away, the workers relax. As the saying goes: when the cat's away, the mice will ___.

Question 5 options
The fixed idiom is 'when the cat's away, the mice will play,' meaning people misbehave or relax when the person in authority is absent.
Q6 20

Question 6: What does the idiom 'catnap' mean?

Question 6 options
'Catnap' means a short, light sleep. It does not refer to a long sleep, a bad dream, or being lazy at work.
Q7 20

Question 7: He looked like the cat that got the ___. He was smiling after winning the prize.

Question 7 options
The idiom is 'the cat that got the cream,' describing someone who looks very pleased with themselves. 'Milk,' 'cheese,' and 'butter' are all dairy products but do not complete this fixed expression.
Q8 20

Question 8: Which word is closest in meaning to 'catfight'?

Question 8 options
'Catfight' informally refers to a fierce argument or quarrel, typically between two people. It does not mean a competition, a friendly chat, or a sports match.
Q9 20

Question 9: Match each cat idiom to its meaning.

Question 9 options
fat cat
scaredy-cat
cat got your tongue
cool cat
a timid, easily frightened person
a wealthy, powerful person
unable to speak when expected
a calm, fashionable person

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Common cat idioms: 'fat cat' = wealthy powerful person; 'scaredy-cat' = timid easily frightened person; 'cat got your tongue' = unable to speak when expected; 'cool cat' = calm fashionable person.
Q10 20

Question 10: She has been playing cat and ___ with the police for weeks.

Question 10 options
'Cat and mouse' is a fixed idiom describing a situation where someone chases or tricks another repeatedly. 'Dog,' 'bird,' and 'rat' do not complete this expression.
Q11 20

Question 11: There isn't enough room to swing a ___ in this tiny apartment.

Question 11 options
The idiom 'not enough room to swing a cat' means a space is extremely small. 'Dog,' 'bat,' and 'rope' do not appear in this fixed expression.
Q12 20

Question 12: The idiom 'has the cat got your tongue' is used when someone is talking too much.

Question 12 options
False. 'Has the cat got your tongue?' is used when someone is unusually silent or unable to speak, not when they are talking too much.
Q13 20

Question 13: The new employee tried to ___ the cat among the pigeons by telling everyone about the pay differences.

Question 13 options
'Set the cat among the pigeons' means to cause trouble or controversy by doing or saying something disturbing. 'Put,' 'throw,' and 'place' are not the standard verbs used in this idiom.
Q14 20

Question 14: What does the idiom 'a cat on a hot tin roof' describe?

Question 14 options
'A cat on a hot tin roof' describes someone who is very nervous, restless, or agitated. It does not describe laziness, happiness, or anger.
Q15 20

Question 15: He always lands on his feet, no matter what happens. He's like a ___ — he has nine lives.

Question 15 options
The idiom 'a cat has nine lives' means someone who repeatedly survives dangerous or difficult situations. The answer is 'cat.'
Q16 20

Question 16: Complete the idiom: 'the cat's ___' (meaning something or someone excellent).

Question 16 options
The correct collocation is 'the cat's whiskers,' a well-known British English idiom meaning something outstanding or excellent. 'Pyjamas' also works in the variant 'the cat's pyjamas,' but 'whiskers' is the most established collocation tested here. The other options do not form recognized English idioms with 'the cat's.'
Q17 20

Question 17: The manager decided to bell the ___ and confront the difficult client directly.

Question 17 options
'Bell the cat' means to take on a dangerous or risky task that others are afraid to do. The idiom specifically uses 'cat'; 'dog,' 'bull,' and 'horse' do not fit this expression.
Q18 20

Question 18: The thieves were involved in a game of cat and mouse with investigators, and it turned into a real ___ burglar situation.

Question 18 options
A 'cat burglar' is a thief who enters buildings by climbing skilfully and quietly, typically at night. 'Dog burglar,' 'house burglar,' and 'night burglar' are not established idiomatic expressions.
Q19 20

Question 19: The idiom 'look what the cat dragged in' is a warm, welcoming greeting.

Question 19 options
False. 'Look what the cat dragged in' is a sarcastic or mocking remark used when someone arrives looking untidy or unwelcome. It is not a warm greeting.
Q20 20

Question 20: After weeks of negotiation, the CEO finally made a decision. He said there was more than one way to ___ a cat.

Question 20 options
'There's more than one way to skin a cat' means there are several ways to achieve the same goal. The fixed verb in this idiom is 'skin.' 'Catch,' 'feed,' and 'pet' do not form part of this expression.